Software Alternatives & Startups

SquareSpace VS Ghost

Compare SquareSpace VS Ghost and see what are their differences

SquareSpace

Squarespace is the easiest way for anyone to create an exceptional website. Pages, galleries, blogs, e-commerce, domains, hosting, analytics, 24/7 support - all included.

Ghost

Ghost is a fully open source, adaptable platform for building and running a modern online publication. We power blogs, magazines and journalists from Zappos to Sky News.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source Paid Free trial $36 / Monthly (100k views/month, 2 users)

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Ghost should be more popular than SquareSpace. It has been mentioned 197 times since March 2021.

social mentions
37 vs 197
Website Builder popularity
88% vs 12%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

SquareSpace
Ghost
Website squarespace.com ghost.org
Pricing
Open source Paid Free trial $36 / Monthly (100k views/month, 2 users) Official pricing
Company Startup from the United States Startup from the United Kingdom
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SquareSpace 5 features
Ghost 5 features
  • Ease of Use
    SquareSpace offers a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionalities, making it accessible for users without technical skills.
  • Design Quality
    SquareSpace provides high-quality, professionally designed templates that are both visually appealing and functional.
  • All-in-One Platform
    SquareSpace includes hosting, design customization, and a variety of built-in features like e-commerce and blogging without the need for third-party plugins.
  • Mobile Optimization
    All SquareSpace templates are mobile-responsive, ensuring a seamless experience across different devices.
  • 24/7 Customer Support
    SquareSpace offers 24/7 customer support through live chat and email, providing timely assistance when needed.

Possible disadvantages

  • Pricing
    SquareSpace plans are relatively expensive compared to some other website builders, which may be a barrier for small businesses or individuals on a tight budget.
  • Limited Customization
    While SquareSpace offers design flexibility, it can be limiting for advanced users who want extensive customization options.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Although basic usage is simple, mastering some of the more advanced features and functionalities can require a learning curve.
  • E-commerce Limitations
    SquareSpace's e-commerce features are solid but may lack some of the advanced capabilities found in specialized platforms like Shopify.
  • Page Speed
    Some users have reported slower page load times compared to other website builders, which can impact user experience and SEO.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Ghost offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes content management straightforward, even for those without technical expertise.
  • Speed and Performance
    Ghost is built on modern technology like Node.js which makes it faster and more efficient compared to some traditional CMS platforms.
  • SEO Optimized
    Ghost comes built-in with SEO features like clean URLs, meta tags, and sitemaps which help in improving search engine rankings.
  • Customizable Themes
    Ghost supports a variety of themes that can be easily customized to fit the branding and functionality needs of a website.
  • Markdown Support
    Content creation in Ghost is made easy with Markdown support, allowing writers to focus on text rather than formatting.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Plugin Ecosystem
    Compared to WordPress, Ghost has a more limited selection of plugins, which might restrict some functionalities users are looking for.
  • Higher Hosting Costs
    Ghost's official hosting is relatively expensive, making it less suitable for users on a tight budget.
  • Technical Knowledge Requirement
    While Ghost is user-friendly, setting it up on a custom server can require a higher level of technical knowledge compared to some other platforms.
  • Less Community Support
    The user community for Ghost is smaller compared to more established platforms like WordPress, which can make it harder to find support and resources.
  • Limited Ecommerce Capabilities
    Ghost is primarily a publishing platform and lacks the more advanced eCommerce functionalities that other CMS platforms might offer out of the box.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

SquareSpace
Ghost

Overall verdict

  • SquareSpace is a good option for those who prioritize aesthetics, ease of use, and integration of various web services in one platform. Its comprehensive features and modern designs make it an attractive choice for users who want a professional-looking website or online store without requiring in-depth technical know-how.

Why this product is good

  • SquareSpace is often praised for its user-friendly interface and visually appealing templates, making it a popular choice for individuals, small businesses, and creative professionals looking to establish an online presence with minimal technical expertise. The platform offers a wide range of customization options, high-quality design templates, and built-in tools for e-commerce, blogging, and analytics, providing an all-in-one solution for website creation and management.

Recommended for

    SquareSpace is recommended for creative professionals like photographers and designers, small business owners, bloggers, and anyone seeking to create a professional, visually striking website without deep technical knowledge. It's ideal for users who prefer a seamless, all-inclusive platform with robust support and stylish design options.

Overall verdict

  • Ghost is a highly regarded platform for serious bloggers and publishers who want a minimalistic yet powerful content management system. It is especially beneficial for those who prefer a distraction-free writing environment with the capability to scale and customize as their needs grow.

Why this product is good

  • Ghost is a popular open-source platform designed for professional bloggers and publishers. It is known for its clean design, speed, and ease of use. Ghost offers robust features for content creation, management, and distribution while focusing on providing an optimal writing experience. Additionally, Ghost is built on modern technology stacks and offers flexibility through themes and integrations. It also supports membership and subscription models, making it ideal for those looking to monetize their content.

Recommended for

  • Professional bloggers
  • Content creators looking for a minimalist interface
  • Publishers seeking to monetize their content
  • Developers looking for an open-source platform
  • Organizations that require a fast and reliable CMS
  • Writers who value a focused writing experience

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SquareSpace 3 videos + Add
Ghost 2 videos + Add

Is Squarespace Worth It? | An UNBIASED Squarespace Review

More videos

  • - Squarespace Review: The Best Website Builder [2020]
  • - Squarespace Review: The #1 Website Builder!

Why I Moved My Blog From WordPress to Ghost

More videos

  • - Ghost review - CMS for creators to build a membership

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
SquareSpace
Ghost
88% 88%
12% 12%
27% 27%
73% 73%
56% 56%
CMS
44% 44%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using SquareSpace and Ghost. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

SquareSpace 2.0 · 1 review
Ghost no reviews yet

View more

  • Comparing 9 WordPress alternatives & competitors in 2024
    webflow.com · Dec 2024

    Ghost specializes in creating a monetized blogging platform. Based on their subscription status, readers can create user profiles, sign up for newsletters, and browse your entire blogging calendar. The platform’s...

  • 19 Best WordPress Alternatives in 2025
    www.pixpa.com · Oct 2024

    Ghost is known for its simplicity and focus on content creation. It's a great option for writers and creators who want a clean and distraction-free environment to publish their work.

  • 7 Best Buy Me a Coffee Alternatives
    wpforms.com · Mar 2024

    If you don’t already have a website, Ghost may be an appealing option as a Patreon alternative. However, customizations are limited, and you’ll need to choose a pre-built design from the theme library. There are a few...

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

SquareSpace 37 mentions
Ghost 197 mentions
  • Squarespace X Mapbox
    This guide shows developers how to integrate Mapbox GL JS into a Squarespace website using Squarespace's embed block. If you're already familiar with Mapbox GL JS development and want to add custom interactive maps to your Squarespace... - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Best website builder?
    I highly recommend Squarespace, DM me if you want me to share some of my client's finished websites. Also, I am happy to answer any of your questions for free. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Squarespace is Hijacking my links
    I recently moved my website to squarespace and have added several text boxes with links to other pages on the site. However after clicking save and then testing the links, they always resolve back to squarespace.com. Upon reviewing the... Source: over 3 years ago

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  • At 19, founder raises $11M for Ghost, maker of a $3,499 computer for personal AI
    I'm curious...isn't the name `ghost` an infringement between ghost, the app / CMS alternative to WordPress? https://ghost.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Local Journalism Is How Democracy Shows Up Close to Home
    Digital production has lowered the cost, and the Ghost platform in particular is a great value for small publishers, bundling together the blog, newsletter and subscriptions in one package, even now including ActivityPub federation. And... - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Bye Bye Big Tech: How I Migrated to an Almost All-EU Stack (and Saved 500€/Year)
    Https://ghost.org — Open-source run by a non-profit headquartered in Singapore. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago

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Alternatives to SquareSpace and Ghost

When comparing SquareSpace and Ghost, you can also consider the following products.

  • WiX

    Create a free website with Wix.com. Customize with Wix' website builder, no coding skills needed. Choose a design, begin customizing and be online today

    Compare WiX to SquareSpace or Ghost:

  • WordPress

    WordPress is web software you can use to create a beautiful website or blog. We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.

    Compare WordPress to SquareSpace or Ghost:

  • Medium

    Welcome to Medium, a place to read, write, and interact with the stories that matter most to you.

    Compare Medium to SquareSpace or Ghost:

  • Webflow

    Build dynamic, responsive websites in your browser. Launch with a click. Or export your squeaky-clean code to host wherever you'd like. Discover the professional website builder made for designers.

    Compare Webflow to SquareSpace or Ghost:

  • Blogger

    Publish your passions, your way. Create a unique and beautiful blog. It’s easy and free.

    Compare Blogger to SquareSpace or Ghost:

  • Shopify

    Shopify is a powerful ecommerce platform that includes everything you need to create an online store and sell online. Try it free for 14 days.

    Compare Shopify to SquareSpace or Ghost: